Discussing New Ways to Improve Pediatric Mental and Physical Health

Newswise — New York, NY, MAY 22, 2014 - Chicago Bears’ all-pro Brandon Marshall and his wife Michi welcomed the Child Mind Institute’s Speak Up for Kids public education tour to Chicago at the Museum of Science and Industry on May 21st. The event, Mind the Gap: Integrating Physical and Mental Healthcare, also featured remarks by Child Mind Institute president Dr. Harold S. Koplewicz and a lively discussion with prominent local and national experts about children’s mental health and the promise and pitfalls of integrated care.

In their welcome the Marshalls spoke about their struggles with Mr. Marshall’s long-undiagnosed borderline personality disorder, and stressed the need to treat mental health with the same seriousness that we do physical health, a conviction that led them to co-found the Brandon Marshall Foundation.

"I'm not a professional. I'm not a clinician but I have been a patient,” Mr. Marshall said. “It's really important for us to look at things we can do for our children. I look at my struggle - sometimes we forget about the kids who may be suffering in silence. We need to give them a voice and help them speak up."

Moderated by Gery Chico, Chairman of the Illinois State Board of Education and Senior Partner, Chico & Nunes, P.C., the panel suggested innovative approaches needed to improve the quality of care for children and families across the country. The panel - Heather Higgins Alderman, President, Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation; Ricardo Estrada, President and CEO, Metropolitan Family Services; Linda Gilkerson, PhD, Professor and Executive Director, Fussy Baby Network, Erikson Institute; Bennett Leventhal, MD, Irving B. Harris Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Emeritus, University of Chicago and Research Scientist, The Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research; Cathy Mavrolas, PhD, Chief Psychologist and Director of Training in Psychology, LaRabida Children’s Hospital - discussed how the treatment of both mental and physical health conditions can be better coordinated when they are approached together, rather than separately as they have been historically. They also addressed the challenges faced by the burgeoning integrated care approach and the implications this might have for future healthcare decisions on a large scale. Other key issues the panelists addressed included:

• The stigma associated with children and families struggling with psychiatric illness• The lack of information in most communities and among health and education professionals concerning the early identification of mental health problems and proven treatments• Limited access to services due to geographic and economic disparities, including poor insurance coverage• A lack of trained clinicians to provide evidence based mental health services, and limited support for training programs for professionals

The day’s event brought together many important supporters of children’s mental health, including Speak Up for Kids Chicago City-sponsor Sidney Garber Fine Jewelry. Owner Brooke Garber Neidich, who co-founded the Child Mind Institute in 2009, gives all her profits to not-for-profit organizations.

“It is unimaginable to think that in a country where 15 million children suffer from psychiatric and learning disorders, less than half of them receive any treatment,” said Brooke Garber Neidich. “Speaking Up by asking for help for your child or simply bringing attention to the issue is the most powerful thing you can do. Having leaders like Brandon and Michi Marshall and these ex-traordinary experts with us today is a key step in changing the face of mental illness and the lives of so many children and families across the country.”

The event is part of the Child Mind Institute's Speak Up for Kids campaign, which this year convenes 100 partners to battle the stigma and misinformation that can prevent kids and families from seeking life-changing treatment. Panel discussions throughout May in New York, Washington, DC, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Chicago include thought-leaders in mental health, media and entertainment, as well as parents and children, all of whom share their perspectives and seek to advance the dialogue concerning children's mental health.

Parents, friends, educators, kids, and advocates add their voices by sharing who or what they Speak Up for when it comes to children's mental health by taking an #ISpeakUp Selfie (childmind.org/ISpeakUp) and sharing it on social media. The #ISpeakUp selfies appearing on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram convey powerful messages of hope, health and healing.

To see the complete list of Speak Up for Kids events and partners, and to view the #ISpeakUp Gallery, please visit www.childmind.org/speakup.

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About the Child Mind Institute The Child Mind Institute (childmind.org) is dedicated to transforming mental health care for children everywhere. Founded by Dr. Harold S. Koplewicz and Brooke Garber Neidich, the organization is committed to finding more effective treatments for childhood psychiatric and learning disorders, building the science of healthy brain development, and empowering children and their families with help, hope, and answers. The Child Mind Institute does not accept funding from the pharmaceutical industry.

About Our National Partner

Hunter was established in 1856 as the North British Rubber Company. The British heritage brand's iconic Original green wellington was first produced in 1955. With offices in London, Edinburgh and New York, Hunter is a holder of two Royal Warrants. Under the creative direction of Alasdhair Willis, who joined Hunter in early 2013, the brand recently announced two new categories: Hunter Original and Hunter Field. Hunter Original launched with a show at London Fashion Week in February 2014. Hunter Field launches in late 2014.

About Sidney Garber Fine JewelrySidney Garber, the son of a watchmaker, launched his own jewelry store in 1946. His daughter Brooke stood behind the counter as a little girl. By the time Brooke was a teenager, Sidney Garber was an elegant boutique on Michigan Avenue in Chicago. Sidney instilled in Brooke a love of design, detail, and fine execution as she traveled with him to the ateliers of Milan and Paris. Sidney remained involved in the business until well into his late 80s. In 2008 Brooke inherited Sidney Garber Fine Jewelry and today continues his tradition. Today Brooke gives all her profits to not-for-profit organizations dedicated to children’s mental health and wellness, to education, and to the arts.